Flying-machine.



A. M. SIPES.

FLYING MAGHIN'E. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 16, 1912.

1,069,823. Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

A. M. SIPES.

FLYING MAUI-IINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 16, 1912.

Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

wuemtoz Aireeijf figvea A. M. SIPES.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT.16, 1912.

Patented Aug. 12, 1913.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

gfwwmf A. M. SIPES.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 16, 1912.

1,069,823. Pa nted Aug. 12, 1913.

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COLUMBIA PLANDORAPH co., WASHINGTON, D :4

A. M. SIPES.

FLYING MACHINE.

APPLIQATION FILED SBPT.16, 1912.

1,969,823., Patented Aug.12,1918.

5 SHEETSSHEBT 5.

coLuMnm PLANOGRAPH co., WASHINGTON, n. c.

ALFRED M. SIPES, OIF MOBEETIE, TEXAS.

FLYING-MACHINE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 12,1913.

Application filed September 16, 1912. Serial No. 720,662.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFRED M. Srrns, a citizen of the United States, residing at Mobeetie, in the county of WVheeler and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flying-l lachines; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same. 1

This invention relates to aeronautics, and more especially to balloons propelled by wings; and the object of the same is to produce a flying machine whose weight is mainly sustained by a cigar shaped balloon at the top, the structure being propelled by wings arranged in pairs on rocking booms which are moved by a power plant such as a lightweight gasolene engine.

To this end the invention consists in the construction hereinafter more fully described and claimed, and as shown in the drawings wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of this machine complete, Fig. 2 is a front elevation with the engine omitted, Fig. 3 is a plan view, Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the lower parts of the mast with the lower portion thereof shown in section, and Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line 55 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a sectional detail on about the line 6'(3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 7 is a side elevation, partly in section, of the rear end of the frame, showing more particularly the mounting of the tail; and Figs. 8 and 9 are sections on the lines 88 and -99 of Fig. 7. Fig. 10 is an enlarged cross section taken about on the line lO-lO of Fig. 1. Fig. 11 is a detail plan view of one boom with the wings therein. Figs. 12 and 13 are sectional details, the former showing the wing open and the latter showing the wing closed.

Broadly speaking this machine is made up of several elements whose details of con struction are unimportant save as explained in the following specification. That is to say, the entire device is by preference mounted on a support S which is herein shown as a truck although of course it might be a float, the same being for use when the machine rests on land or on the surface of the water; and the machine itself comprises a deck D on which the operator stands (or on which he could sit if means were provided), from which rises a mast M carrying near its upper end an open framework F wherein are tanks G for storing or generating gas which is delivered in any suitable means to the balloon G, preferably carried by the top of the frame F and which supports the entire structure when it is in the air.

The propelling mechanism consists of a pair of booms B, each of which is an open frame or structure centrally pivoted to the main frame F, and carrying two wings T; and these booms are reciprocated or rocked over the framework F alternately by any suitable driving means such as a lightweight gasolene engine E.

The entire machine is steered by a tail T whose various movements are within control of the operator by mechanism hereinafter described. It will be quite obvious that any other form of support could be supplied and used in connection with the flying machine proper, and in so far as the elements thereof are distinct they could be replaced by other equivalent elements although my preference is for the construction yet to be described.

t will be obvious, also, that the sizes, shapes, proportions and materials of parts are matters of little moment excepting in so far as they contribute to the successful make-up of an air craft which must be light and strong. I do not, therefore, limit myself to the strict details set forth below, and various changes therein may be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

The support S herein shown preferably has two wheels 1 and 2 at the front, mounted on a short cross axle 3, and a single steering wheel 4 at the rear which is connected in any suitable way as by the cords or chains 5 with a wheel or tiller 6 within easy reach of an operator standing upon the deck D. As above suggested this deck may carry a seat (not shown) for the operator or operators, but in any event I preferably connect it piv otally with the support S and sustain its front and rear ends by means of expansion springs 7 between the support and deck near the extremities of the latterthereby permitting the vibration of a wheeled truck as it travels over rough ground and yet with out imparting the vibration to the deck and therefore to the operator.

The mast M is preferably forked at its lower end as at 10 and the fork-arms pivoted astride the body of the support S as at 11 in Fig. 41, said portion of the mast also preferably carrying the deck D which may at its midlength be made narrow enough to extend between the fork-arms, and this portion of the mast. also by preference carrying certain of the operating mechanism for the various ropes which lead to the several parts of the machinery. In fact, the lower end or stub 12 of the mast might be said to be the trunk of the entire machine, and it may well carry a bracket 13 on which the engine E is mounted. I will here say that I have shown these operating mechanisms for the various ropes or cords as consisting of windlasses turned by hand cranks, but this is simply illustrative of any means which might be provided for operating said ropes from the normal position occupied by the aeronaut and the details of the engine E and of the levers and means for controlling it are not illustrated, although they also would be employed in the finished machine. Above its stub end 12 the mast M is provided with a. rigid cross bar 1 1 for a purpose yet to appear, and above that in turn the mast has what might be called a universal knuckle consisting of a fork 15 with a transverse pin 16 through its fork-arms and above it another fork 17 with a pin 18 through its fork-arms longitudinal of the machine the arrangement and disposition of this universal knuckle being such that the upper portion of the mast may be deflected forward and backward or to either side by means yet to be described. The upper end of the mast is by preference made extremely light as by being forked or divided into two parallel arms 19 between which is journaled the driving wheel as seen in Fig. 4:, and between which is arranged the frame or framework F as seen in Fig. 1.

The frame F need hardly be described in detail. It is by preference a skeleton structure 20 consisting of bamboo strips suitably braced, and it stands fore and aft within the craft at a point high above the deck and the engine as shown. lVithin it may well be placed tanks G for storing gas, or perhaps for generating gas, which will later be led to the balloon G. The latter is by preference mounted on the uppermost bar 21 of the frame, by means of suitable netting 22, and its envelop is inclosed by large wire hooks 23 so that in case it should become deflated the material of the balloon itself will not fall to one side and become entangled with the machinery of this craft Beneath said uppermost bar 21 the framework F has upright end bars 24 connected by a longitudinal rod 25 forming a support for the booms yet to be described; and beneath this rod and its end bars 24: stands the skeleton structure 20 before referred to. A craft thus built would float if the balloon G were large enough and filled with the proper gas, or if some of the gas were permitted to escape the structure would descend to the ground and rest thereon if the support S were a truck or could be permitted to descend and float upon the water if said support were a boat. Means must now be provided to propel the craft through the air and to steer it.

The wings IV are herein shown as four in number (although there could be a greater or lesser number), and as they are alike I will say merely that each is composed of a light body such as fabric 30 mounted within a frame 31, the latter is hinged as at 32 at its front edge to the front bar 33 of a skeleton structure which constitutes the boom, there being also a rear bar 34 and suitable cross braces 35, and the whole boom being centrally mounted on the longitudinal rod 25. The free edge of each wing is connected with the rear bar 3 1 by means of av chain 36. It results that, as this end of the boom ascends, the wing opens to about forty-five degrees to a horizontal and therefore its ascent causes the forward propulsion of the machine; but as this end of the boom descends, the wing closes and its rear edge strikes the rear bar 34:, so thatin its descent this wing exerts its power to lift the machine through the air to a degree supplemental the buoyancy of the balloon G. As there are four such wings, two must be descending on opposite sides of the machine while two others are rising on the other opposite sides thereof. The actuating or operating mechanism for these booms and wings consists of a power wheel 37 mounted fast on a crank shaft 36 which is journaled through the arms 19 as seen in Fig. t, its cranks 38 being connected by pitman rods 39 with the two booms at opposite sides of the longitudinal rod 25, so that when said cranks rise the right end of one boom and the left end of the other will rise and carry their wings with them, while the opposite ends of these booms will descend. The power wheel 37 is connected with the engine through any suitable mechanism, herein diagrammatically illustrated as at 4:0 in Fig. 1. Thus it will be seen that the sustaining or floating power of the device which exists in the balloon G is at the extreme top, and as the wings are hingedly mounted on the rod 25 immediately beneath said balloon they exert their propelling and lifting influence also near the top of the structure and the latter may be said to hang below the same. But on account of velocity, altitude, cross winds,

and various other conditions well known to the aeronaut, it becomes necessary often to adjust the relative positions between the buoyant or supporting part of the machine and the heavier pendent part thereof, and these adjustments are preferably produced in the following way.

Cords or ropes 4C1 connect with the front and rear ends of the framework F, lead thence downward under pulleys 42 at the front and rear ends of the deck D, and to a windlass or other operating device 4:3 with in reach of the aeronaut; so that by manipulating this device properly he can flex the mast M on its transverse pivot 18, which in effect would tip the upper portion of the device forward or backward as desired. Cords or ropes 44 lead from points above the universal knuckle within the mast, thence over pulleys 45 carried at the outer extremities of the cross bar 14-, and thence inward to a windlass or other operating device 16 also within reach of the operator; and by actuating the same he can flex the mast on its longitudinal pivot 16 with the result that the upper portion of the machine will be tipped to either side with respect to the lower portion in a manner which will be clear. Ordinarily the ability to control the fore and aft position of the buoyant portion of the machine with respect to the pendent portion, and also to adjust the lateral relative positions of these portions, would be sutficient-perhaps with the addition of a tail merely for steering-to put the entire machine within the control of the operator; but in order to be absolutely certain of his ability to direct it under all circumstances, I preferably make use of peculiar means for mounting the tail T, as best seen in Figs. 7, 8, and 9 and which will now be described.

The tail T consists of a vane 50 mounted rigidly on a shaft 51 which in turn is rotatably mounted within a sleeve 52 having at its front end a head 53. The latter is supported within the rear end of the frame F by means of a universal joint best seen in Fig. 8. Upright pins 5st connect the head 53 with a ring 55, and lateral pins 56 connect the ring with side bars 57 of the frame F at this point. It follows that the head (and with it the stem or shaft of the vane) may oscillate laterally between the upright pins 54-, and the head and its ring may oscillate vertically between the horizontal pins 56. For swinging it laterally two ropes or cords 58 are provided, led over suitable pulleys to a windlass or other operating means 59 within reach of the operator; and for swinging the device in a vertical plane two other ropes or cords G0 are provided, also led over suitable pulleys to a windlass or other operating device (31 within reach of the aeronaut. Finally the vane itself may be given a twisting or torsional adjustment with respect to the sleeve 52, by turning its shaft 51 therein so that the vane may be set oblique to a strictly upright plane. This is accomplished by means of two other cords or ropes (32 connected with opposite sides of the shaft 51 at 63, leading thence downward under pulleys Gel and thence over other suitable pulleys G5 to a windlass or other operating device 66 standing within reach of the aeronaut. Thus it will be seen that the latter by manipulating the proper windlass or other device may swing the tail from side to side, raise and lower it, or even set it oblique to a vertical plane at will; and this ample control of the tail, in connection with the possibility of flexing the mast as above described, I consider a valuable feature of my invention.

lVhat is claimed as new is:

1. In an air craft, the combination with an upright mast having a universal knuckle within its length, means for flexing the mast forward and backward or laterally at will, and the buoyant and steering devices carried by the upper portion of the mast; of propelling mechanism also carried by said upper portion of the mast, the motor carried by the lower portion thereof, and connections between said propelling mechanism and motor.

2. In an air craft, the combination with an upright mast having a universal knuckle within its length, a frame connected with the upper portion of said mast, and the buoyant, propelling, and steering mechanisms carried by said frame; of a longitudi nally disposed deck carried by the lower portion of said mast and having wheels at its front and rear ends, a rigid cross bar carried by the lower portion of said mast and also having wheels at its extremities, operating devices carried by the lower portion of the mast, cords connected with the front and rear ends of said frame and lead ing over the pulleys of the deck to one of said mechanisms, other cords connected with the upper portion of the mast and leading over the pulleys at the extremities of said cross bar to another of said operating mechanisms, means for controlling the steering mechanism, and means for driving the propelling mechanism.

3. In an air craft, the combination with an upright mast having a universal knuckle within its length, a frame connected with the upper portion of said mast, and the buoyant, propelling, and steering mechanisms carried by said frame; of a longitudinally disposed deck carried by the lower portion of said mast and having wheels at its front and rear ends, a rigid cross bar carried by the lower portion of said mast and also having wheels at its extremities, operating devices carried by the lower portion of the mast, cords connected with the front and rear ends of said frame and leading over the pulleys of the deck to one of said mechanisms, other cords connected with the upper portion of the mast and leading over the pulleys at the extremities of said cross bar to another of said operating mech anisms, cords leading from the steering mechanism over suitable pulleys to a third operating mechanism located ust above said deck, the driving mechanism carried by the lower portion of the mast, and connections between said driving mechanism and the propelling mechanism, for the purpose set forth.

.L. In an air craft, the combination with an upright mast having a universal knuckle within its length, and the controlling devices and motor mounted on the lower portion of said mast; of the buoyant and propelling mechanisms carried by the upper portion of said mast, connections between said motor and propelling mechanism and cords leading from said upper portion over suitable guides to the controlling devices whereby the mast may be flexed forward and backward or laterally in its knuckle.

5. In an air craft, the combination with an upright mast forked at its upper end, a fore and aft frame mounted between the fork arms, and gas envelops carried by said frame; of a longitudinal rod disposed within said frame, an even number of transverse booms mounted at their midlcngth on said rod, wings carried by the extremities of said booms, and means for rocking said booms simultaneously in opposite directions.

6. In an air craft, the combination with an upright mast forked at its upper end, a fore and aft frame mounted between the fork arms, and envelops carried by said frame; of a longitudinal rod disposed within said frame, an even number of transverse booms mounted at their mid-length on said rod, wings carried by the extremities of said booms, a motor carried by the lower portion of said mast, a power wheel journaled be tween the fork arms and connected with said motor, cranks on the shaft of said wheel, and pitman rods connecting said cranks and booms so as to cause the latter to rock simultaneously in opposite directions.

7. In an air craft, the combination with an upright mast forked at its upper end, a fore and aft frame mounted between the fork arms, and gas envelops carried by said frame; of a longitudinal rod disposed within said frame, an even number of transverse booms mounted at their mid-length on said rod and each comprising front and rear bars rigidly connected, a wing at each end of each boom hingedly connected at its forward edge to the front bar thereof and with its rearward edge underlying the rear bar, a chain connecting said rear bar and rearward edge to limit the descent of the latter as this end of the bar rises, and means for rocking said booms simultaneously in opposite directions.

8. In a flying machine, the combination with an. upright mast, a. longitudinal and substantially horizontal rod carried by its upper end, a motor carried by its lower end, and the steering mechanism of an even number of booms pivotally mounted at their mid-length on said rod and each comprising front and rear bars rigidly connected, a wing at each end of each boom hingedly connected at its forward edge to the front bar thereof and with its rearward edge underlyingthe rear bar, a chain connecting said rear bar and rearward edge to limit the descent of the latter as this end of the bar rises, and connections between said motor and booms for rocking the latter simultane ously and oppositely.

9. In a flying machine, the combination with an upright mast, a longitudinal and substantially horizontal rod carried by its upper end, a motor carried by its lower end, and the steering mechanism; of an even number of booms pivotally mounted at their mid-length on said rod and each comprising front and rear bars rigidly connected, a wing at each end of each boom hingedly connected at its forward edge to the front bar thereof and with its rearward edge underlying the rear bar, a chain connecting said rear bar and rearward edge to limit the descent of the latter as this end of the bar rises, a double crank shaft journaled through the mast and rotated by said motor, and independent connections between its cranks and said booms for rocking the latter simultaneously and oppositely.

10. In a buoyant air craft, the combination with a forked upright, and the propelling and steering mechanisms carried thereby; of a frame mounted in said fork and including a longitudinal bar, a series of upwardly opening hooks carried by said bar, a gas eny'elop located above the bar and within said hooks, and means for confining it in place when inflated.

11. In a. buoyant air craft, the combination with a forked upright, and the propelling and steering mechanisms carried thereby; of a frame mounted in said fork and including a longitudinal bar, a series of upwardly opening hooks carried by said bar, a gas envelop located above the bar and within said hooks, netting connected with the hooks and passing over the envelop, and additional gas tanks carried within said frame.

12. In an air craft, the combination with an upright mast, a fore and aft frame mounted across its upper portion, and a gas envelop carried by said frame; of a longitudinal rod disposed within said frame,

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set transverse booms mounted at their midmy hand in presence of tWo subscribing W1tlength on said rod, Wings carried by the extremities of said booms, a motor carried by nesses.

the lower portion of the mast, and conneo- ALFRED M. SIPES. tions between the motor and booms for rock- \Vitnesses:

ing said booms simultaneously in opposite J. J. LONG,

directions. C. G. MEADE.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

